BMW BLOG

Our other sister blog, BMWBLOG.ro had the opportunity to attend the BMW xDrive tour, an event taking place across Europe where a large fleet of xDrive vehicles are being made available to customers and selected media.

The event focuses on driving situations in heavy snow, both uphill and downhill, and also car handling in challenging situations. The fleets consists of the popular BMW X5 and X6 models, along with the latest addition to the X family: BMW X1.

While the X5 and X6’s snow capabilities have been demonstrated before, the X1 is fairly new to this challenge and BMW wanted to take this opportunity to showcase its somewhat offroad handling. The X1 sits closer to the road than its “bigger brothers”, so a snow covered road will present bigger challenges, but was the X1 one able to overcome this, despite the less experienced drivers behind the wheel?

Let’s have a look. Read the rest of this entry »

While the German ADAC office (the German equivalent of AAA) didn’t take an official position, the colleagues from OEAMTC Austria concluded a comparison test in Pedestrian Safety by using as a reference mid-size and compact SUVs.

The new BMW X1 comes at the top of this test and OEAMTC expert Max Lang says: “The Bavarians demonstrated responsibility and have invested a lot in the passive pedestrian safety.”

The X1 scores high in all the safety categories, but it particularly shines in the passenger safety:  five stars in Euro NCAP crash test.

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The BMW X1 is already a thrilling competitor the world over – and now the range of power units ideally suited for the most compact BMW X model is becoming even more convincing and straightforward.

Starting in March 2010, BMW’s new all-round talent will be available in a new entry-level version and with an additional six-cylinder power unit: the new BMW sDrive18i is powered by a 110 kW/150 hp four-cylinder gasoline engine featuring VALVETRONIC variable valve management, the new BMW X1 xDrive25i comes with a straight-six power unit again featuring VALVETRONIC for maximum output of 160 kW/218 hp. This enlarges the engine portfolio available in the BMW X1 to a new grand total of three gasoline and three diesel engines.

The number of power units available as an option with automatic transmission is also being enlarged as of March 2010. The six-speed automatic transmission already featured as standard in the BMW X1 xDrive28i, the new BMW X1 xDrive25i, and the BMW X1 xDrive23d excels through its dynamic gearshift, a high level of shift comfort and a particularly high standard of internal efficiency enhancing the all-round efficiency of the vehicle as such to an even higher level.

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Another interesting comparison coming out of Germany: BMW X1 vs. Mercedes-Benz GLK and Volvo XC60. To spice up things even more, Autobild went ahead stereotyping the drivers of these three cars: the hunter takes the GLK, the driver goes for the X1 while the self-employed citizen takes the XC60.

The comparison begins with the height of these cars. The X1 measures 1.55 meters high, GLK 1.69 meters and the Volvo 1.71 meters. Despite the lower height, Autobild says that the X1 in-line with the other two models as far as interior space. The X1 interior comes with the driver-oriented dashboard, a different approach from its competitors.

The BMW X1 as tested is powered by a four-cylinder twin-turbo 2.0 liter diesel engine with 204 horsepower and 400Nm torque. The engine is matted to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Mercedes-Benz GLK also comes with a four-cylinder 2.0 liter diesel twin-turbo engine, same power as the BMW (204 hp) and 500Nm of torque; the engine is matted to a seven-speed. Volvo XC60 uses a five-cylinder diesel turbo engine (2400cc), outputting 295 horsepower and 420Nm of torque; transmission used is a six-speed automatic.

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BMW’s Joy campaign continues with a new episode. The fun, dynamic and young BMW X1 returns with a Merry Christmas wish for all of us and with some more photos of the entry-level Sports Activity Vehicle that is said be have exceeded BMW’s sales expectations.

The X1 was captured during some snow drifting in the beautiful Austrian Alps. If anyone has ever doubt the sportiness, dynamics and snow handling of the X1, those photos should help its case.

BMW launched the X1 in Europe back in October and the U.S. customer will see the first X1 SAV in early 2011.

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As the first premium vehicle in its segment, the BMW X1 makes a striking impression with its unique driving pleasure, versatility and efficiency. Now the compact BMW X model moves into the lead in the area of safety, too. On the current Euro NCAP crash test the BMW X1achieved the highest score of 5 stars. Subjected to a testing procedure which was supplemented with additional criteria at the beginning of this year, the new model put on an impressive showing with its comprehensive standard safety features and an effective system of vehicle occupant protection which covers different types of collision. Of the 12 vehicles which have just gone through the NCAP test, the BMW X1 also has by far the highest level of pedestrian protection.

With the maximum score on the most important crash test procedure in Europe, the BMW X1 confirms the high standard of the safety concept developed for the BMW X models. Its extremely stable body structure provides an ideal basis for ensuring that the passenger cell is subject to maximum protection even in the event of a forceful impact. The forces acting on the vehicle are diverted along the clearly defined load paths of the support structures and absorbed by means of amply sized deformation zones.

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Last week, we announced a new BMW initiative: everyone was invited at the BMW Welt to build a full-scale X1 out of 2,000 LEGO blocks.

Today, we have the end result and it is quite impressive. 800 children, aged between 5 and 13 years old assisted by BMW staff, visited BMW Welt last week and contributed to the X1 Lego project. The task was completed in four days and there were approximately 165,000 LEGO bricks used.

While the project was developed as part of the Joy marketing campaign, BMW also used this opportunity for more charity work: for every LEGO block used, BMW donated money to the Munich children’s foundation “Die Arche”.

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The recently launched BMW X1 opens a new series of automobile comparisons. Positioned as an entry level in the SUV/SAV market, the new X1 will take on competitors like the Volkswagen Tiguan or the upcoming Audi Q3. In an unusual comparisons posted yesterday, german magazine Autobild places the X1 against the Audi A3 Sportback, the old timer BMW X3 and the true contender, VW Tiguan.

The X1 model tested was the 177 horsepower xDrive20d. Both the Audi and VW were powered by the same 170 horsepower diesel engine while the X3 also uses the 177 horsepower diesel from the X1.

There were five categories that Autobild focused on: chassis, powertrain, comfort, driving dynamics and pricing.

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